Rawdah al-Jannah: How to Enter & What Makes It So Special

Masjid Al-Nabawi, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, is one of the largest and most important Islamic places to visit in Madinah. Constructed by the Holy Prophet (May peace be upon him), it consists of many important places including the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his praying area, houses of his family members including his daughter Hazrat Fatima (R.A.), his companions including Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A.), Hazrat Umar (R.A.) and more. Among these places is Rawdah al-Jannah, which is thought to be part of Heaven. This sacred area is considered one of the most significant places in Masjid Al-Nabawi, and visitors from all around the world desire to visit this place and pay their respects.

In order to make your visit an easy and meaningful one, the following guide outlines the religious significance, entry regulations, and detailed permit procedure for entering Rawdah al-Jannah. Read till the end and make your visit a memorable one. Let’s get started.

Rawdah Al Jannah, also known as Riyad ul Jannah, translating to the Garden of Heaven, is listed among the most famous places in Madinah, located inside Al-Masjid Nabawi between the Prophet's pulpit and burial place, marked off by green carpets. Believed to be a portion of heaven, people visiting this place always try to offer a minimum of 2 Rakah as they believe it to be very beneficial for their spiritual well-being. Those who worship in Riyad-ul-Jannah frequently feel a deep feeling of contentment and tranquility.

According to the most recent regulations, permission is required in order to enter Rawdah al Jannah. Both men and women are prohibited from entering the designated area without permission. If you're curious why, here's your answer. The location's importance and the great volume of pilgrims that visit there year-round, particularly during the Hajj, provide the answer. Therefore, the requirement for permission was imposed in order to control crowd movement and preserve order.

The present rules for entering Rawdah are as follows:

• You must use the Nusuk app to present your permission.
• There are certain times for visiting. You will be allowed entry to the location within your designated time frame.
• Separate hours for males and females are mentioned.
• Since children are often not permitted, you may not be admitted if you are accompanied by youngsters. It's recommended to consult the most recent recommendations before going there.

Only three categories of individuals are thought to be qualified for the Rawdah permission.

To get yours, you must be a:

• Holders of a valid visa for the Hajj or Umrah. 
• Saudi Arabian citizens with an active iqama.
• Tourists who have enrolled on the Nusuk app with a valid visa.

The first thing to do is to install the Nusuk app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, depending on which app is available on your phone. The Saudi Ministry of both Umrah and Hajj has selected and disseminated this application as the official platform to help pilgrims with their Umrah/Hajj journey.

The next step after downloading is to register and create an account.

To do it, you must:

• Choose your desired language, such as Urdu, Arabic, English, etc.
• Enter your cellphone number or email address to create an account.

Accept the terms and limitations and create a password that is stron

Once your account has been created, the application will require you to provide your personal information and visa details in order to continue. Add your passport number, visa number, and nationality. Enter your iqama information if you are a Saudi national. Finally, link your Hajj or Umrah visa to unlock booking-related functions.

This is the crucial phase, where you must select the kind of permit you desire, along with the time window. Below is an explanation of the steps required:

• Choose "Prayer in Rawdah" as the objective.
• Next, select a Rawdah, either male or female.
• To check the exact location of the Masjid Nabawi, make use of the Madinah map.
• Choose a desired date from the available time slots.

Helpful tip: Choose late-night or early-morning times if you want to avoid crowds and get the most out of your trip.

Additionally, you will have a better opportunity to recite supplications and perform prayers in Rawdah.

Following the completion of your preferred permit type, date, and time slot selection:

• Press "Book Permit."
• Following that, you will be given a QR code to use as your access pass. To prevent losing it, be sure to save it or take a snapshot of it.
• Search for the "My Permits" tab in the app to locate your permission.

Always verify your generated permit and the application prior to your visit to be safe. Here's how:

• Open the Nusuk application.
• Click on Your Account, then My Permits.
• Verify that your permit contains a QR code and is currently valid.

Make sure you go to the Rawdah well in advance of the time slot you have reserved. The Masjid Nabawi courtyard is where the admission line is located, and there may occasionally be a long wait.

Before you access the area of Masjid Nabawi that leads to the Rawdah, security personnel will want to check your Nusuk app permit. Make sure the battery on the mobile device is charged enough to display the permit.

Following the permit verification, you may still have to wait outside or within a different area of the mosque. Consider this a beautiful moment while you wait your turn for entry into the hallowed Rawdah. Engage yourself in dhikr and send prayers to the Prophet ﷺ.